Getting an Evaluation for a Child with Special Needs
Overview
Information to help military families understand the evaluation process for special needs services in schools.
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitles qualifying children with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education. Children in DoD schools -- both overseas and domestically -- fall under these same IDEA guidelines. Getting an evaluation is an important step in supporting your child's education. Only an evaluation can determine if your child is eligible to receive special education and related services. In this article, you'll find information about what a special needs evaluation is and how to obtain one for your child.
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Understanding the evaluation process
An evaluation is used to determine if your child is eligible to receive special education and related services. As a parent, understanding the process will help you advocate for the best interests of your child.
- Referral. The first step in the evaluation process is a referral. When a child has an obvious disability or when a parent or teacher notices that a child is not progressing at the same rate as his peers, this information is given -- usually in writing -- to the school system. Sometimes the referral is made by a doctor or child care provider. After the referral is made, a screening committee will meet to determine whether or not the child needs a full evaluation.
- Consent. If the screening committee decides an evaluation is necessary, the school will request your written consent to begin an initial evaluation. You have the right not to consent to the evaluation or to withdraw your consent at any time. If you decide to go ahead with the evaluation, it is generally completed within 60 days of the consent (although time frames vary by state).
- Purpose of the evaluation. The evaluation is a series of tests and assessments the school system will use as they try to determine whether or not your child qualifies for special education. Your child has the right to be evaluated in her native language or by other means (such as American Sign Language) if needed. Your child may be assessed in these areas:
- Cognitive abilities. This includes intellectual abilities, such as your child's ability to reason, remember, and understand.
- Behavior. The ability to pay attention, the quality of your child's relationships with children and adults, and behavior at home and at school.
- Physical abilities. This includes an assessment of your child's health, including vision, hearing, and the ability to communicate and move purposefully.
- Development. The child's progress in a number of areas such as understanding and responding to language, social and emotional abilities, and mobility.
- Evaluation procedures. Your child will be evaluated by qualified professionals, such as a special educator, a diagnostician, a school psychologist, or a speech pathologist. Your child may be given several different types of assessments. Additional resources -- checklists, observations, and medical records, for example -- may be tapped to get a more well-rounded picture of your child.
- Evaluations in DoD schools. The DoD school system follows the same guidelines established by the IDEA. Child-Find is a program used in DoD schools to help identify children (birth to age 21) who may be eligible to receive early intervention or special education and related services. If a formal assessment is necessary, the Case Study Committee (CSC) will meet to help guide the process and determine your child's needs. As with public schools, your input is an essential part of the CSC. More information on special education services in the DoD school system is available at www.dodea.edu. Follow the links under "Curriculum Programs" for the Special Education page.
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Your role in your child's evaluation
You will be an important part of your child's evaluation team. The IDEA even requires that parents be included in every step of the evaluation process. These tips can help you make the most of your role in the evaluation process.
- Share information about your child. Sometimes talking to teachers and professionals about your child's areas of weakness may feel disloyal. However, without your input, the school cannot have a complete picture of your child's capabilities.
- Stay informed. The school should provide you with information that outlines your rights in the special education process. This information will help you determine what to do if you disagree with an evaluation and help you understand your rights to mediation and a due process hearing.
- Ask questions about the evaluation. Don't be afraid to speak up if you have questions or concerns about your child's evaluation before, during, or after the evaluation. Here are some questions you might want to ask before the evaluation:
- What tests will be used and why were they chosen?
- How will the test information be useful in developing an education plan for my child?
- Will I or my child's teacher be interviewed?
- What type of information will I be asked to provide about my child?
- Will my child be observed in the school setting, in community settings, or at home?
- Keep records. Keep a folder that contains copies of all correspondence and any other papers you get from the school during the evaluation process. You should also keep copies of evaluation results, medical records, and other relevant information.
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Talking with your child about the evaluation
To many children, the evaluation is a positive experience. The one-on-one attention can be fun. However, if your child feels anxious about the evaluation, spend some time talking about it.
- Explain why your child is being evaluated. Choose your explanation based on what your child understands. For example, you could explain that every student is unique in how she learns best, and that this evaluation will help her school determine what it needs to do to help her learn. Some children may need a simpler explanation, such as, "Your school wants to learn more about you."
- Describe what your child should expect, using language he understands. Include descriptions of the tests or activities he'll complete and the environment he'll complete them in. You could also describe positive things about his evaluator, such as her friendliness or that kids really like her.
- Tell her where you'll be during the tests if they will be conducted outside of school or outside of school hours. Tell her before the appointment, and then remind her before she begins testing.
- Ask your child if he has any questions. If you don't know the answer, find out and then share the answer with him.
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Evaluation results
Once the evaluation is complete, the school will schedule an eligibility meeting. The school should provide you with copies of all evaluation results before the meeting. You'll meet with a team of professionals to discuss the results and whether they indicate that your child has special education needs. If the eligibility committee determines your child is not eligible for special education services, you must be notified in writing.
- If you disagree with the results, you may choose to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). You may ask the school to pay for the IEE. The school may grant your request or it may initiate a hearing to determine if its evaluation was appropriate. Either way, you have the right to have your child tested at your own expense and the school must consider those results, as long as the evaluation meets the school's criteria for testing.
- Individualized Education Program (IEP). If the committee determines that your child needs special education and related services, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must meet within 30 days to write an IEP for your child. An IEP is a plan that outlines your child's educational goals and what special education services will be used to help your child reach those goals. The evaluation results will help the team determine the best ways to help your child learn.
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Resources
DoD Education Activity
www.dodea.edu
Follow the links under "Curriculum Programs" for the Special Education page. Download the Parent Handbook on Special Education under the "Publications for Parents and Administrators" link.
Military HOMEFRONT's Special Needs EFMP module
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/efm
Resources and support for military service members and their families with special needs.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHY)
800-695-0285
www.nichcy.org
Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education, NICHY provides information and resources for families of children with disabilities. Visit www.nichcy.org/EducateChildren/evaluation/ for specific information on the evaluation process.
STOMP (Specialized Training Of Military Parents)
www.stompproject.org
Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, STOMP is dedicated to educating and training military parents of children who have special education or heath care needs.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education IDEA Web site
idea.ed.gov/
This official site offers resources and information relating to the IDEA.
Prepared with the help of Isabel Hodge, Program Analyst, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Community & Family Policy.
© 2008 Ceridian Corporation, Military OneSource. All rights reserved. 111208
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